Carlos Burle may have ridden the biggest wave of all time, beating the world record set by Garrett McNamara which was 23.77 metres (78 feet), measured from trough to crest, on 1 November 2011.

Burle, from Pernambuco in Brazil, had travelled to Portugal aiming to beat the Guinness World Record for the largest wave ever surfed by riding the Big Monday swell at Praia do Norte, Nazaré.

"It was luck," the 45-year-old told surfertoday.com. "We never know when we will be catching the wave. I still hadn't surfed any wave and everyone had already had their rides. For me, it was a big adrenaline moment."

Burle also had to rescue his friend and Maya Gabriel, who he said nearly drowned trying to catch a wave.

Guinness World Records said on Monday: "We have not received a claim from Carlos Burle for this record but we would welcome an application from him if he believes he has broken this specific record."